Water and Environmental Management MSc

Program Overview

This intensive one-year program in Water and Environmental Management equips graduates with advanced knowledge and skills to address contemporary water resource and environmental challenges. Combining interdisciplinary perspectives, the program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and transferable skills in project management, research, and communication. Graduates are prepared for careers in environmental consulting, water management, research, and policy, contributing to sustainable water and environmental management practices.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The programme's objectives:

• advanced knowledge and expertise
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills to assess and solve complex environmental challenges.
• transferable skills
• Cultivate problem-solving capabilities to tackle practical water and environmental management issues.

Outline:

The program comprises five compulsory modules:

• Individual Research Project (worth 12,000 words): Students select a research topic and conduct individual research under the guidance of a supervisor, culminating in a substantial dissertation.
This module emphasizes independent research skills, critical analysis, and communication skills.
• Biogeosciences and Ecosystem Services: Introduces the concepts of biogeochemical processes in relation to the broader context of global climate and land use changes.
Explores the connections between biogeochemistry, ecosystem services, and sustainable management principles. This module equips students with fundamental knowledge of land-water interactions and their implications for ecosystem functioning.
• Environmental Data Acquisition and Analysis: Equips students with quantitative skills to collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data using advanced field and laboratory techniques.
Covers aspects of environmental sampling, data analysis software tools, and reporting data effectively. Examines techniques for river restoration and rehabilitation, considering sustainable approaches to river management.
• Catchment Science in Practice: Provides an in-depth understanding of catchment processes, exploring the influences of land use, climate change, and human activities on water quality, sediment transport, and ecological function.
Students analyze real-world case studies and engage in practical activities within a catchment context.

Additionally, two elective modules are offered:

• Advanced Readings: Involves exploring advanced research through self-directed reading under the guidance of a faculty member.
Enables students to delve deeper into a specific area of interest related to water and environmental management.
• Flood Risk Management and Modelling: Delves into current flood risk management strategies and explores the use of advanced modelling techniques for flood risk assessment.
Covers principles of design, mitigation strategies, and policy considerations associated with flood management.

Assessment:

Assessment varies across modules but generally utilizes a combination of:

• Coursework assignments: Including essays, reports, presentations, and problem-solving exercises.
These assignments evaluate students' understanding of key concepts, analytical skills, and ability to apply their knowledge to practical scenarios.
• Individual research project: Assessed through a combination of a written dissertation and an oral examination, evaluating the depth of research, originality, analysis, communication skills, and presentation ability.

Teaching:

The program utilizes modern facilities, including:

• Geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and environmental modelling software and computing facilities.

• Analysis of environmental samples including water and sediment chemistry.

• River Laboratory incorporating sediment transport demonstration channel, river simulator, and digital camera equipment and software to capture river morphology in 3D.

• Dedicated Masters study and computing spaces within the School of Geography.

Careers:

Graduates of this program are equipped for a range of exciting and rewarding career paths within water and environmental management, including:

• Environmental consultants: Advising private and public sector organizations on environmental solutions, impact assessments, and regulatory compliance.
• Water management professionals: Working with water utilities, government agencies, or NGOs on water resource management, supply, sanitation, and conservation efforts.
• Researchers and scientists: Pursuing further academic research or working in research institutions focusing on water resources, river ecology, and environmental issues.
• Policy and advocacy roles: Working with government, NGOs, or international organizations to influence policy development and advocate for sustainable water and environmental management practices.

Other:

Graduates are well-positioned to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for water resources and ecosystems.

Home: £11,950 Overseas: £27,250 EU/EEA/Swiss studentsThe course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Starting inSeptember 2024LocationMile EndFeesHome: £6,000 Overseas: £13,650 EU/EEA/Swiss studentsThe course fee is charged per annum for 2 years.